Ideal Gases: Intermolecular Forces & Kinetic Energy

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of ideal gases, specifically focusing on the concepts of intermolecular forces, elastic collisions, and kinetic energy. Participants explore how these factors interact during molecular collisions and the implications for energy transfer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that elastic collisions in ideal gases imply no intermolecular forces are present, leading to constant kinetic energy during collisions.
  • Others argue that the presence of attractive forces would result in a decrease in kinetic energy post-collision, suggesting that energy before and after a collision would not be equal.
  • One participant expresses difficulty in understanding how intermolecular forces cause energy loss, proposing that attraction between molecules could decrease kinetic energy and speed.
  • Questions are raised regarding the effects of repulsive forces on kinetic energy during collisions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are competing views on how intermolecular forces affect kinetic energy and the nature of collisions in ideal gases.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of intermolecular forces and their effects on kinetic energy remain unresolved. The discussion does not clarify the specific conditions under which these forces operate.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students and educators in physics and chemistry, particularly those exploring gas behavior and molecular interactions.

Misr
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http://pages.towson.edu/ladon/gases.html
2. Collisions between ideal Gases are "elastic". This means that no attractive or repulsive forces are involved during collisions. Also, the kinetic energy of the gas molecules remains constant since theses interparticle forces are lacking.

"Elastic" means that the energy of the particle before collision equals to the energy of the particle after collision.
How is this related to the presence or absence of intermolecular forces and

How is this related to kinetic energy?
Does the particles loses energy when it is attracted to another particle?if yes,then could you explain how?
 
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Misr said:
"Elastic" means that the energy of the particle before collision equals to the energy of the particle after collision.

Think about it, if you have an attractive force, then the kinetic energy will be greater before the collision than after, therefore the energy before the collision ≠ the energy after the collision, likewise with a repulsive force.

Which also answers your second question.
 
Yes I know that and i already mentioned it in the first post but I can't just imagine why intermolecular forces makes molecules lose energy?
but I can imagine that when the molecule rebounces , the other molecule attracts it so decreasing its kinetic energy and its speed.Is that okay?
how about the repulsive forces?
 
hello there?what's wrong with my post
 

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